To know the everlasting majority attitude toward new uses…
““To know the everlasting majority attitude toward new uses of productive energy, remember that your great-grandfather did not believe that railroads were possible. At the time, a committee of learned men investigating the question for the British Government, reported that railroads were not possible, for the reason that the proposed speed of fifteen miles an hour would kill any human being; the human body could not endure such a pressure of air. Remember what sensible men thought of Alexander Graham Bell’s insisting that a wire could carry a human voice. Remember that ships could not be made of iron because iron does not float. Recall that the horseless carriage could never be more than a rich man’s toy, not only because it cost at least five thousand dollars, but also because it ran only on macadam and therefore could never leave the cities. Or, what do you think of the experimenters in New Mexico who are working on rocket-ships to carry men from planet to planet? How much of your own money will you invest in a rocket-line from here to Mars? No majority will ever take up arms against their Government to defend such men as these.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that prevailing public opinion often dismisses groundbreaking technologies, urging belief in visionary ideas despite skepticism.
In simple terms: People often doubt new tech; trust innovators.
Key Takeaway
Invest in bold, future‑oriented projects.
Themes
innovation
skepticism
progress
visionary thinking
Mood
cautious
optimistic
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- entrepreneurship
- space exploration
- policy making
- education reform
Key Concepts
technological adoption
social resistance
future investment
Questions to Reflect On
- What innovations are you dismissing?
- How can you support visionary ideas despite doubt?
A Different Perspective
Skepticism can stall progress and lead to missed opportunities.